Monsta X's 'All About Luv' lands at 5th on Billboard 200 chart

"All About Luv," the first full-length American album by K-pop boy band Monsta X, landed at fifth on the Billboard 200 chart for this week, the music magazine has said. "The set, which is the act's first all-English language album, launches with 52,000 equivalent album units earned in the US in the week ending Feb. 20," Billboard said on its website Sunday (US time), citing Nielsen Music/MRC data. Released Feb. 14, the album's latest feat made Monsta X the third K-pop act

K-popFeb. 24, 2020

Coronavirus puts 'fragile' global recovery at risk: IMF to G20

RIYADH (AFP) -- The deadly coronavirus epidemic could put an already fragile global economic recovery at risk, the IMF warned Sunday, as G20 financial chiefs voiced "real concern" over its economic ripple effects. Global growth was poised for a modest rebound to 3.3 percent this year, up from 2.9 percent last year, International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva said after a two-day meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Riyadh. But the projected recov

World BusinessFeb. 24, 2020

Xi says China facing 'big test' with virus, global impact spreads

BEIJING (AFP) -- China's leader said Sunday the new coronavirus epidemic is the communist country's largest-ever public health emergency, but other nations were also increasingly under pressure from the deadly outbreak's relentless global march. Italy and Iran began introducing the sort of containment measures previously seen only in China, which has put tens of millions of people under lockdown in Hubei province, the outbreak's epicentre. Italy reported a third death while cases spiked and

World NewsFeb. 24, 2020

Italy announces three deaths linked to coronavirus

ROME (AFP) -- An elderly cancer patient became the third person known to be infected with the coronavirus to die in Italy, health officials said on Sunday, as the number of people contracting the virus continued to mount. The death of the woman in a hospital in the small city of Crema in Lombardy, the centre of Italy's coronavirus scare, followed that of a 77-year-old woman on Saturday and a 78-year-old man on Friday, the first victim of coronavirus in Europe. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte u

World NewsFeb. 24, 2020

Next 10 days crucial for containment of coronavirus spread: Seoul

South Korea said Sunday that the next seven or 10 days will be the most crucial juncture in the fight against the new coronavirus, vowing to take all possible measures to prevent further spread of the potentially fatal illness. The country raised its alert level to the highest of "red," to deal with COVID-19 virus in its latest heightened response to the confirmation of hundreds of additional cases over the weekend. So far, the country has reported a total of 602 virus cases, and si

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

US says 'most' S. Korean workers to be furloughed if no defense deal is reached

The United States will furlough "most" South Korean nationals employed at its military bases on the peninsula if no defense cost-sharing deal is reached by the beginning of April, the Pentagon said Sunday. In a rare "media advisory" previewing Monday's meeting in Washington between South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the Pentagon said the pair will discuss a range of bilateral issues, including the regional security environmen

DefenseFeb. 24, 2020

S. Korea confirms sixth virus death

South Korea reported the sixth death from the new coronavirus that originated in China on Sunday, recording three deaths in one day. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, a 59-year-old man -- an inpatient at a psychiatric ward of a hospital in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province -- was the latest casualty. The patient was moved to Dungguk University Hospital in the neighboring city of Gyeongju on Thursday after being diagnosed with the illness the previous day. He is the fourth fo

Social AffairsFeb. 23, 2020

USFK says it has no case of COVID-19 among its personnel

The US Forces Korea said Sunday that it has no confirmed case of the new coronavirus among its personnel despite an increase in the number of South Korean patients. In an updated report on its efforts to fend off the COVID-19 virus, the 28,500-strong USFK said that the risk for its personnel and installations on the Korean Peninsula remains "moderate." On the day, South Korea's death toll from the virus increased to five with the number of confirmed cases rising to 602. "USFK

DefenseFeb. 23, 2020

S. Korea to postpone new school year as coronavirus spikes

South Korea said Sunday it will postpone the new school year, set to start next month, as part of efforts to tackle the new coronavirus after the number of patients spiked to more than 600. "To prevent the spread of infection, and for the safety of students and school faculty, the education ministry will postpone the first day of the 2020 school year at kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools across the country by a week," Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said in a governmen

Social AffairsFeb. 23, 2020

Bracing for a long battle

As the incidence of new COVID-19 cases surges in South Korea, health experts say the country needs to revise its action plan to withstand the long-term impact of the outbreak. In a protracted fight against the disease, pacing is key and personal precautions imperative, experts said. Admit patients based on severity of symptoms COVID-19 patients, in principle, should be isolated in negative pressure rooms. But if infections continue to multiply and single rooms run out, patients will be hospi

Social AffairsFeb. 23, 2020

Film industry slump continues amid virus fears

Snowballing coronavirus infections have continued to cast a pall over the film industry, with new releases delayed and events canceled. Thriller flick “Time to Hunt” will tentatively postpone its release and cancel all promotional events, including premieres, the film’s distributor Little Big Pictures said Sunday in a statement. The company made the decision in response to the government’s call to refrain from mass gatherings. “Time to Hunt” was slated to

FilmFeb. 23, 2020

[Graphic News] Average monthly wage of NK defectors hits record high of 2 million won

　The average monthly wage of North Korean defectors living in South Korea exceeded 2 million won ($1,684) for the first time last year, the Unification Ministry said. 　Defectors earned 2.04 million won ($1,720) per month on average in 2019, compared with 1.89 million won in 2018, according to a report released by the Unification Ministry. (Yonhap)

North KoreaFeb. 23, 2020

Shinhan Bank closes branch on confirmed COVID-19 case

Shinhan Bank said Sunday that it is temporarily shutting down its branch at the Seongnam Industrial Complex Financial Center, Gyeonggi Province, after one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19. The confirmed patient had visited a hospital funeral center in the southern city of Daegu, where the epidemic has been spreading at a fast pace over the past week, officials said. After experiencing fever and other symptoms, the patient visited a designated inspection station in the vicinity.

MarketFeb. 23, 2020

Homeplus unionists, MBK lock horns over asset disposal, dividend payout

The labor-management feud at South Korea’s hypermarket chain operator Homeplus escalated Sunday, with union members accusing its majority shareholder MBK Partners of profiteering at the expense of the company. The controlling private equity firm denied having done so, accusing the union of misleading the public. According to the labor union, MBK Partners has pulled 1.9 trillion won ($1.6 billion) out of Homeplus hypermarkets through the sale of its properties and brought in 1.2 trillio

MarketFeb. 23, 2020

Hyundai Capital Bank Europe inks deal to control German lender

Hyundai Capital said Sunday that its German subsidiary has become the largest shareholder in a local lender, in an extended move to enhance the group’s mobility strategy. Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH has signed an agreement with German car rental service provider Sixt SE to acquire 8.64 million shares, or a 41.9 percent stake, in Sixt Leasing SE for 155.6 million euros ($168 million). After the due regulatory clearance procedure is completed in both Europe and Korea, HCBE will gain a

MarketFeb. 23, 2020

[Herald Interview] Booming business at fabric maker amid soaring demand for masks

POCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Amid coronavirus fears, local fabric maker Environment & Human’s machines have been in full operation night and day. The non-woven fabric manufacturer churns out thin sheets of meltblown non-woven fabric, an essential material for face masks. Demand for masks has been skyrocketing, driving the government to take full control over the supply and distribution of masks. The surge -- likely to continue for some time -- reflects concerns about the virus but

MarketFeb. 23, 2020

Entertainment scene struggles with virus outbreak

Cultural events and venues were dealt a blow over the weekend by the surge in coronavirus cases here, with performances being canceled. On Saturday, the 2020 Music in PyeongChang (MPyC) event, also known as the Great Mountains Music Festival, canceled its remaining concerts from Sunday, as five coronavirus infections were reported across Gangwon Province. Despite worries about the coronavirus, the festival, which began Feb. 9, had initially continued with its plans, saying it would ensure th

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2020

6 soldiers infected, 1,300 quarantined

A total of six military personnel were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 as of Sunday, and 1,300 service members were quarantined, the Ministry of National Defense said. All six of the infected individuals, including two officers and one civilian worker, were found to have visited either Daegu or adjacent North Gyeongsang Province. The surge in cases of COVID-19 linked to church services there brought the national tally to 602 as of Sunday afternoon. “More and more soldiers are susp

DefenseFeb. 23, 2020

Coway boasts No. 1 eco-tech research institute in Asia

South Korea’s leading household electronics rental service company  Coway attributes its competitiveness to the high-tech analyses at its Environmental Technology Research Institute, the biggest such facility in Asia. According to the company, the institute is at the center of its research and development of cutting-edge technologies and products, as the organization spearheads the entire product development process, starting from research to product design and development, to cond

IndustryFeb. 23, 2020

[Hal Brands] From Japan to Britain, world loves hosting US troops

The US has a global military footprint that is second to none, and one of the most visible aspects of that footprint is a worldwide network of bases. From Japan to the UK, America’s overseas installations allow it to shape events thousands of miles from US shores. Critics have long argued that basing troops abroad also creates anti-American sentiment, making Washington’s worldwide presence toxic and self-defeating. A recent study turns this critique on its head, showing that foreign

ViewpointsFeb. 23, 2020